Student perspective: What’s it like being a Research Assistant?

5 June 2019

Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science student Paddy Gerard discusses his experience studying Law and Geology, his Summer Scholarship, and his role as a Research Assistant reporting on sea level rise.

For quite some time
I had this silly idea that I wanted to be an anaesthetist. Thankfully I grew
numb to that grisly prospect and I opted to study something a little less
bloody: law.

Geology appealed to me as a practical
and multi-disciplinary subject. I figured it was a good way to put my science
background to use. I have found the contrast between law and geology to be
refreshing, and both have been equally rewarding.

The interplay between science and the
law is particularly significant in the environmental context. It is important
that both can evolve in tandem; laws and regulations are only as good as the
science they are based on.

As a Research Assistant and Summer
Research Scholarship recipient I have been helping Associate Professor Catherine
Iorns and PhD student Vanessa James with their project on housing and insurance
retreat in respect of sea level rise and climate change.

I conducted a survey on legal and
policy issues facing local government organisations. The survey was sent to 52
councils around New Zealand. I hadn’t done anything like this before, so it was
an interesting experience. We received some excellent responses which injected
valuable data into the project.

We found that it’s not as simple as
chucking up a sea wall and hoping for the best. We have enough science
available to make smarter decisions and minimise the effects of sea level rise
on communities, but challenging peoples’ property rights is never going to be
easy. This is a fundamental problem that local government organisations are
dealing with all around New Zealand.

Being part of the
staff team at the Law School has been an enjoyable experience. A highlight from
the summer was getting to share an office with the other scholars and
participating in the Christmas door decorating contest.

I’m eagerly looking forward to
graduating in 2020 and finding a full-time job, ideally in a Wellington law
firm. I’d love to do an OE at some stage too.